Free rides for NJ Transit workers may be limited

NEWARK, N.J. — After 30 years, NJ Transit is poised to eliminate unlimited free travel for nonunion employees when its board of directors meets Monday.

“(Our) travel policy must be consistent as to how our customers and taxpayers commute and travel – they pay for their expenses,” said James Weinstein, NJ Transit's executive director, in a statement.

Under the proposal, effective Jan. 1, nonunion employees and nonunion retirees no longer will be allowed to use rail, light rail and bus services free of charge for nonbusiness purposes.

Free travel is an industry benefit that dates to the first years of the railroads.

The agency said the move is a response to Gov. Chris Christie's emphasis on accountability to the state's taxpayers. Last year, NJ Transit reformed sick leave and vacation policies for nonunion employees.

The move follows similar changes in nonunion employee benefits at the Port Authority.

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority said, in general, nonunion employees receive passes for travel to and from work and there is no proposal to change that policy at this time.